First Past the Post

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What are the general effects of FPTP on the UK electoral system ?

  • Because it creates a 'winners' bonus' for the party that gains the most seats of the national vote, it usually delivers majority government. 2010 has been an exception where there has been a coalition (2010) a small majority (2015)
  • It has created a two party system favouring Labour and Conservatives
  • The governing party usually has a majority despite not having over 50% of the votes
  • Smaller parties except the SNP have done poorly because their votes are not geographically concentrated
  • Party representation in the House of Commons doesn't reflect how the country voted
  • The constituency system creates safe seats which rarely change and a small number of marginal seats that do

How has FPTP affected representation in the UK?

  • Conservative and…

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